East Texas react to gays being in Boy Scouts

Editor's note: A previous version of this story incorrectly attributes a quote about building tolerance to Pastor Jeff Moats. A corrected version of the story is below.

The discussion over allowing openly gay scouts and scout leaders has heated up over the last 24 hours.

Today opponents of the ban turned in a petition of 1.4 million signatures asking that the boy scouts lift the ban

"Exposing them to opportunities and leadership that will serve people for the rest of their lives and I think nobody should be bared from that," said President Barak Obama in an interview Sunday with CBS.

The president's comments on the Boy Scouts of America not allowing openly gay members has now started conversations from people on both sides.

Both church leaders and gay rights groups have their opinions on the matter

"The boy scouts which is supposed to be inclusive and help young boys build tolerance for other people actually stand for those things," said Chris Daniel, President of PRIDE NAC.

"For any government to come in and tell us we can't adhere to what is written in our holy book, the word of God, the Bible would be an infringement on our constitutional rights," said Pastor Jeff Moats of Denman Avenue Baptist Church in Lufkin.

Both sides believe that if the ban on openly gay members and leaders is lifted changes will be on the way

"Possible impacts would be that less churches would be willing to sponsor scouting groups because they would be asked to sponsor a lifestyle that the bible describes as ungodly character," said Moats.

"I think if that is the case, they shouldn't participate in an organization that maybe they shouldn't participate in a group that has national oversight but start their own organizations," said Daniel.

Religious leaders, elected officials and mourners gathered at multiple prayer vigils Monday night in Las Vegas after more than 50 people were killed and more than 500 were injured in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

Religious leaders, elected officials and mourners gathered at multiple prayer vigils Monday night in Las Vegas after more than 50 people were killed and more than 500 were injured in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.